An Introduction to Your Surveyor – Gareth Truscott
With over 25 years of experience in construction, I specialise in building pathology—the science of how buildings breathe, age, and decay. Based in Cornwall, I work predominantly with traditionally built homes: granite cottages, Victorian terraces, and Georgian townhouses. These buildings are deeply connected to their environment, and looking after them properly demands more than just trade knowledge—it requires forensic understanding.
For me, this work is more than a career—it’s a complete obsession. I study the movement of moisture at a molecular level: how vapour diffuses through porous materials, how salts migrate, crystallise and destroy masonry, how temperature, pressure, and air flow impact interstitial condensation. Damp isn’t a surface issue—it’s a complex, dynamic process that affects the entire structure. Misunderstanding it leads to countless failures and unnecessary interventions.
Every building is a system. When one part is altered—say, by blocking capillary movement or trapping vapour—the effects ripple out. This is why my approach is always holistic. I don’t just patch up symptoms. I trace the issue to its source and offer repair strategies that respect the materials, structure, and historic context.
My work is rooted in:
– Gravimetric testing (measuring actual moisture content)
– Salt analysis (identifying the type and source of decay)
– Psychrometrics (understanding how air temperature and humidity interact)
– Alongside close attention to ventilation, ground levels, and previous interventions
Every report I produce gives a clear, evidence-backed four stage narrative:
1: What is the moisture source?
2: How is it traveling / mobilised?
3: How is it presenting?
4: How to we holistically resolve this issue?
While my trade foundation began in roofing, I’ve spent years building practical experience across masonry conservation, lime plastering, timber repair, façade restoration, and traditional drainage. I’ve trained with English Heritage and continue to challenge industry misconceptions with research, writing, and long-term observation.
Outside my consultancy work, I teach and mentor through The Heritage Project here in Cornwall—a hands-on initiative that not only supports meaningful conservation, but also empowers people through practical skills development. Our deeper mission is to protect Cornwall’s built heritage while supporting individuals—especially those facing barriers—to find purpose, confidence, and community through conservation. We restore buildings, yes—but more importantly, we build people up as we restore the world around them.